Former West Sussex scout leader behind bars for child sex offences
He was sentenced to six years in jail yesterday (15 October).
Last updated 16th Oct 2020
A former Horsham scout leader has been jailed for offences of voyeurism and a sexual assault, involving young children at scouting camps he helped to run.
Oliver Cooper, aged 27, a student, of Nor'bren Avenue in Bognor, formerly of Kings Drive, Hopton, Staffs, was found guilty at Lewes Crown Court yesterday (15 October) of:
- Two counts of sexual assault on a girl aged six
- One count of sexual assault on a girl also aged six
- One count of taking indecent photographs of a child
- And 13 counts of voyeurism.
He was sentenced to a total of six years behind bars.
He will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life, was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order to last until further court notice severely restricting his access to children, and was disqualified from working with children and vulnerable people for life.
Cooper was a Beaver Scouts leader at the time of the offences, which took place more than two years ago.
The conviction comes after what police have described as a "lengthy investigation" by detectives from the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigation Unit after a child disclosed that he had sexually touched her.
As a result, Cooper was arrested and indecent images and videos of children getting undressed in private were found on his phone and laptop.
A further child came forward during the course of the investigation and reported a similar offence against her.
Detective Constable Rees Hopcraft said:
"The young girls involved showed tremendous bravery throughout the investigation and were supported by specially trained officers.
"Despite the overwhelming evidence, Cooper continued to protest his innocence and thus forced the victims to give evidence, which was done via a video link to the court.
"In sentencing, Judge Mooney commented on Cooper's lack of remorse and the 'colossal breach of trust' involved.
"Prior to his scouting role he was a law student at Sussex University, and a soldier in the Household Cavalry where he served for four years in the UK."
Sussex Police said the Scouts Association and West Sussex Childrens' Services were immediately informed of the allegations and have worked closely with the force to ensure all necessary safeguarding precautions were taken.
Police emphasise that the Scouts Association has given full co-operation throughout the investigation.
The force added parents of all children who were in the group, including those whose children have been identified as subjects of the alleged offences, have been kept informed and there is "no current safeguarding risk to any child".
There is information and advice on reporting sexual offences against children on the Sussex Police website.